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Observe Regulations in Lake Tyers State Park

Parks Victoria is reminding visitors and campers in Lake Tyers State Park to keep vehicles to formed roads and tracks, set campsites back from the waterline and collect firewood only where permitted.

The special values of the Lake Tyers area were recently recognised with its declaration as Lake Tyers State Park. “It’s a place that has great opportunities for touring, fishing and relaxation,” says Jeremy Tscharke, Parks Victoria Ranger in Charge at Bairnsdale. “However some people are driving cars or riding motorbikes along the lake shore and on the dunes and destroying these fragile environments. They might not realise it at the time, but it’s causing a great deal of erosion and damage.”

He says visitors are also continuing to ignore messages about firewood collection and shoreline camping. “We regularly remind visitors that they must camp 20 metres back from any waterway, and that collecting firewood in the park is illegal. But it seems those messages are either being missed or ignored. It’s very frustrating,” said Mr Tscharke.

“As joint managers of Lake Tyers State Park the Gunaikurnai people welcome visitors to these special places,” says Barry Kenny, CEO of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. “But we ask that they use the park responsibly and don’t damage cultural sites and the park environment”

Authorised Parks Victoria officers will be patrolling the park in coming weeks, and checking for off road driving and riding, illegal firewood collection and shoreline camping.

“The aim of these patrols is to educate people about observing regulations in the park, and their impact on the environment. The patrols are also a reminder that our Rangers can enforce regulations and that there are substantial penalties for ignoring them,” said Mr Tscharke.